Electric signal device for toy railways



Oct. 15, 1940. w. R. SMITH ELECTRIC IGNAL DEVICE FOR TOY RAILWAYS 2Sheets-Sheet l n A n n n n n n Filed Aug. 27, 1958 INVENTOR a V ATTQOct. 15, 1940. w R s n' ELECTRIC SIGNAL DEVICE FOR TOY RAILWAYS FiledAug. 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R lili'lfaa 1?. s w-3f BY a l 5ATTO Y Patented oct. 15, 1940 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,218,0'l4

ELECTRIC slgilfilllwgltryslcli FOR TOY William mm SmitlL Philadelphia,Pa. Application August 27, 1938, Serial No. 227,194

15 Claims.

provide a signal device applicable to toy train out- 10 fits where thetrains and other parts are quite small although nevertheless madeaccurately to scale.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention,

there are shown in the accompanyi g drawings forms thereof which are atpresent preferred,

since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which the invention consists can be 20 variouslyarranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as hereinshown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like ref- 25 erence charactersindicate like parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy signal device, constituting oneembodiment of the present invention, operatively associated with thetrack of a toy or model electric railroad.

'30 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism which is disposedinside of the housing of the signal device shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional ,view taken through the signaldeviceillustrated in the preceding figures.

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing one manher in which the signaldevice may be operatively associated with, and control a toy electricrailway system.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the train-operated electricalcircuit closers which may automatically control the signal device.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a twin-button electric switch whichmay afford means for manually controlling the signal device.

Figure 7 is a simplified elevational view of the interior of a modifiedsignal device.

Figure 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

50 The particular signal device illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,inclusive, preferably includes a lower housing ll which may encase theinternal mechanism illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. A preferably solidrod l2, which may be constructed from glass or synthetic transparent ortranslucent material, preferably Lucite or the like, may be. mounted onthe housing II with one end l8 thereof projecting through the tophousing wall l3 and extending into the chamber bounded by said housing.The rod l2 may be operatively 5 clamped to the wall I3 by any suitablemeans, as for instance, by an encircling adjustable strap l4, which maybe generally permanently secured to the housing wall 13 by screws l5--l5or the like.

The upper portion of rod I2 may be perpendicularly bent as at ii, toprovide the generally horizontally projecting signal-indicating end H,which is preferably rounded, as indicated in the drawings to simulate alight bulb or a lamp. The opposite end l8 of the rod I2 is preferablyclear, 15 to permitlight rays to pass readily into the rod l2, althoughthis end, as well as visible end ll, may be merely translucent. Theexposed portion of rod l2, lying intermediate the strap l4 and the hood2|, is preferably covered or shielded so that its transparent ortranslucent character will not be apparent to an observer, and for thispurpose it may for example be coated with an opaque substance l9, suchas paint or the like. Any light rays which may shine on the lower clearend i8 of the rod I! will be conducted longitudinally through the rod,without an light being lost through the sides thereof, and these rayswill be transmitted through, and illuminate the upper visible end ll ofthe rod 62.

The rays of light may be carried around the perpendicular bend it byproviding a plane rel fleeting surface 20 preferably disposed at anangle of approximately 55 to the horizontal so as to reflect the lightray upwardly toward the eyes of the observers. The bend it need not beas abrupt as illustrated, but may assume a gradual curve, in which casethe reflecting surface 20 may be dispensed with. v

The upper bend it of the rod i2 is preferably 40 encased within agenerally cylindrical hood or shell 2|, which may be slipped over thefree projecting rod end ll, and closed at the rear by atfixing thereto adisc 22, by any suitable means, such as the screws 23, 23 or the like. Avizor 24 may be provided on the front end of the hood 2!, to enhance theappearance of the toy signal device.

Electrically-operated means for changing the color of the light enteringthe lower rod-end I8 may be mounted on a Bakelite base 83 and may beencased by the housing H.

The mechanism may assume various arrangements, two of which have beenillustrated in the drawings. Essentially, this mechanism includes asource of illumination, such as the electric bulb 2|. diflerentlyireferably green andred) colored transparent screens 23 and 21, andelectro-magnetic means for selectiveiy positioning one or the other ofthese differently colored transparent screens between the electric bulb23 and the juxtaposed rod end l3. 1

In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of separatecylindrical windings 23 and 2! may be wound about a common sleeve 33'anchored at opposite ends to the spaced vertical panels 3! and 32. Anexternal annular flange 33 is preferably provided midway along thesleeve 33, and separates the two electrical windings 24 and 28. .Each ofthese electrical windings 23 and 23 preferably comprises a continuouswire helically wound around the exterior surface of the sleeve 30, toprovide the plurality of layers illustrated in the drawings.

An iron plunger 34 disposed within the sleeve 30 slides longitudinallytherein in response to the magnetic forces created by the passage of anelectrical current through the winding 23 or the winding 29. Thisplunger 34 is preferably longer than the sleeve 30, the length of thisplunger 34 preferably being equal to approximately three times the axiallength of either winding 23 or winding 23, which are equal in length.The passage of an electric current through winding 23 will magneticallyattract and position plunger 34 so that its opposite ends projectequally beyond the axial limits of winding 28, all as illustrated inFigure 3. Thus, plunger 34 will assume a position of rest when thereluctance of the magnetic circuit, created by the passage of currentthrough winding 28, reaches its minimum value. If winding 23 now bede-energized, and winding 23 be energized, the plunger 34 will be movedto the right and will assume an alternate position of rest, with itsopposite ends projecting equally beyond the axial limits of winding 23.In this fashion, the alternate passage of current through windings 28and 29 will cause plunger 34 to slide to and fro within the sleeve 30.This combination of windings 23 and 28 and their common plunger 34,constitute a pair of axially spaced electric solenoids controlling acommon movable plunger.

The reciprocating movements of plunger 34 responsive to the passage ofelectric current through the windings 23 and 29 may be mechanicallytransmitted, by an arm 35, to a twin-apertured slide 38, positionedbetween the electric bulb 25 and the lower rod-end l8, and supported bythe spaced side panels 3i and 32. This arm 35 is preferably welded orotherwise fixedly secured to an end of plunger 34, as at 31, theopposite upper end of arm 35 preferably projecting through a juxtaposedopening provided at one end of slide 35.

The twin apertures 38 and 39 of slide 36 are preferably so locatedtherealong as to insure that these apertures will be alternately alignedwith the lower rod-end I8 and the juxtaposed electric bulb 25, whenplunger 34 comes to rest at opposite ends of its stroke, Aperture 33 maybe covered by a green colored glass or Cellophane sheet 26, and aperture39 may be covered by a red colored glass or Cellophane sheet 21. Themovement of slide 36 will thus control the color of the light enteringthe lower end I! of rod l2, and therefore the color of the signalemitted by the upper visible rod-end i1.

If desired, horizontal disarrangement of slide 33 may be prevented byproviding it with the downwardly bent stops such as stop 40, adapted tomay also be edema." andl operativeiy contact the panel 32. The slide itment by providing the overhanging side-panel 4|, 4|, which may be struckfrom the The single electric bulb 2! may be operatively positioned inproximity to the lower rod-end l3 by slipping the coarse screw-threadedend thereof into slot 42. thereby establishing electrical contactbetween one end of the bulb filament and the side panel 32. A resilientcontact arm 43, mounted on and insulated from sidewall 32, may contactthe other filament terminal 44.

If desired, the metallic arm 35 may control an electrical circuitcoupling an insulated section of third-rail 44 to the main constantlyenergized third-rail section 41. This control may be effected byproviding a stationary leaf 4! which is insulated from panel 3i andwhich contacts arm 35 at only one end of its stroke. Inthis fashion, thepassage of an electric train, which automatically causes the visiblesignal to change from green to red, or a manually effected change ofsignals, interrupts the electric circuit leading from the energizedthird-rail 41, through arm 33 and insulated leaf 4!, to the insulatedsection of third-rail 46, thereby de-energizing said section 46 andpreventing the passage of a following train into the occupied orred-signal track area. When the signal subsequently changes from red togreen, the insulated third-rail section 46 is re-energized, thuspermitting the resumption of traffic thereover. In this fashion, traincollisions between trains on the same tracks may be avoided.

If desired, this arrangement may be used for track cross-over orswitching areas to prevent collisions between trains travelling onmeeting tracks. Thus, the passage of a train over a predeterminedportion of one track may operate the hereinabove described signaldeviceand simultaneously de-energize sections of other tracks adjacentthe cross-over or switching points,

It is to be understood that this control feature may be used equallywell with electric railroad systems wherein one of the outside trackrails replaces the third-rail 41 illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings; the outside track rails being insulated from each other. Suchsystems have no third-rail, and instead one of the outside rails servesas the live" or feeder conductor, the other outside rail serving as thereturn conductor.

The hereinabove described embodiment of the present invention may beoperatively connected to a toy electric railway system in the mannermore particularly illustrated in Figure 4. The primary winding 43 of astep-down power transformer 49 may be connected to any suitablealternating current source. The opposite ends of the secondarytransformer winding ill may be respectively connected in detachablefashion to the third-rail 41 and outside rail 5| of the railroadtrackunit 52, by any suitable means, as for instance, a snap-clamparrangement or the like. The secondary transformer winding 53 wouldordinarily be designed to deliver electrical energy to the track unit 52at about 18 volts.

This secondary winding 50 may be tapped at an intermediate point, as at54, to provide a low voltage source of-power of approximately six volts,for lighting the electric bulb 25. lead 55 interconnects tap 54 with theresilient electrical contact arm 43.

Lead 56 interconnects the energized third-rail 41 with the metallicframe" of the inner signal mechanism, said frame being preferablyinsulated confined against vertical-dlsplace- -(Fig. 5) on each oftracks 58, and stays green after button 84 is released, and

from the signal housing The "frame may include the spaced side panels 8|and 82, the sleeve or hollow cylinder 38, the movable plunger 84 and itsassociated arm and slide 35 and 36. The single electric bulb. 25 willglow constantly when operatively positioned within slot 42, the completecircuit including tap 54, lead 55, resilient leaf 43, filament terminal44, bulb filament, screwthreaded filament terminal, side panel 32, lead56, third-rail 47 and a six-volt portion of the secondary winding 59. v

One end of each of the windings 28 and 29 may be soldered to the framewalls 3| and 32. The other ends of these separate windings may each berespectively connected to terminals 62 switches 51 and 58, through theleads 59 and 69. The passage of a train over these electric switches 51or 58 (illustrated more particularly in Figure 5) completes a circuitbetween their respective leads 59 or 69 and the outside track rail 5| bymomentarily depressing the bronze-spring 89. Thus, an approaching trainwheel 6| (Fig. 5) will ride up on the bronzespring 80 thereby completingthe circuit between the lead 59 or 68 and the rail 5|. In this fashion,atrain progressing in the direction of arrow 82 (Fig. 4) will firstenergize winding 28by completing an electrical circuit including theelements numbered 5|, 88, 62, 59, 28, 8|, 56, 4'! and 68. Armature 34accordingly assumes the extreme left-hand position shown in Figure 3,changing the visible signal from green to red. At

the same time, the electrical connection between elements 35 and isbroken, thereby de-energizing the insulated third-rail track section 46.As the wheels of the signalactuating train, continuingv in the directionof arrow 82, pass beyond track switch 51, the bronze-spring 80automatically breaks the circuit through winding 28 therebyde-energizing the same. Armature 34, however, will remain at rest in theleft-hand position. As the train advances further. the circuiircontrolled by track switch 58 is completed, thereby energlzlng winding29 and pulling armature 34 to the right. The visible signal is thuschanged from red back to green and the third-rail section 46 behind thetrain is simultaneously re-energized. When the train wheels have passedbeyond track switch 58, the bronze-spring 89 lifts and breaks thecircuit through coil. 29. The signal light will then remain in the "go"or green position, without the expenditure of any further energy ineither coil 28 or 29. It will thus be seen that the electro-magnets areoperatedintermittently, and only when a change in signals is beingeffected.

If desired, a manual control unit connected with the'outside rail 5| maybe associated with leads 59 and 60, to enable theoperator to avoid traincollisions at track cross-over points, etc. The signal device may besolely manually controlled, or it may be both manually and automaticallycontrolled.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, a two-button switch may by-passelectrical current around the track switches orcircuit closers 51 and58. Thus, by manually depressing the red button 63, the operator maycomplete an electrical circuit between lead 59 and rail5l, just as if atrain rolled over track switch 51. red. After button 63 is released, thesignal remains red until green button 64 is depressed, completing anelectrical circuit between lead 69 and rail 5|. The signal accordinglychanges'to green, just as if a train rolled over track switch of thepresent invention The signal light changes to until winding 28 isenergized.

'In the alternative, and preferred embodiment illustrated, in part, inFigures 7 and 8, a tiltable and magnetically attractable signal-changingarm 66 is pivotally associated at 61 tilting movement of this tiltablearm 66 may be physically limited and magnetically controlled by thetransversely spaced parallel electro-magnetic coil units 69 and 19,which may be mounted on and secured to a common support. In thisembodiment of the present invention, the coils 69 and 19 resemble coils28 and 29 but differ therefrom in the omission of the common movableplunger core, and in the substitution therefor of two fixed magnetizablecore elements II and 12. When coil 89 is energized (in the same fashionas coil 28) core becomes magnetized thereby magnetically attracting andtilting element 66 from with a frame member 68. The Y thepositionindicated in dotted lines in Figure 7 to that illustrated in solidlines. When coil 69 is de-energized, arm 86 remains in the new tiltedposition, under the influence of gravity. When coil 18 is subsequentlyenergized (in the same fashion ascoil 29) arm 66 is magneticallyattracted by magnetized core I2, and is accordingly tilted back to theposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 7. i

A twin-apertured cross-arm 13, corresponding to the slide 36, may besecured to the upper end of the tilting arm 66. The twin apertures inelement 13 may be similarly provided with green and red colored glassCellophane" sheets 74 and 15. The cross-arm 13 is so constructed as toalternately and selectively position the red colored, or the greencolored material, between the electric bulb 25 and the lower rod-end l8.The periodic and alternate energization of coils 69 and 19 will thuscontrol the visible signal, changing it from green to'red and backagain, all as hereinabove described.

The application of electrical energy 'to the in-' sulated third-railsection 46 may be periodically interrupted; each time the signal turnsred, by

the coaction between the stationary electrical switch contact point I6,which is preferably insulated from the frame member 68, and correspondsto leaf 45 of the foregoing embodiment, and the movable electricalswitch contact arm 66.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, tiltable arm 66preferably comes to rest near, butnot directly against, the spacedmagnet cores -.'H and 12. This may be effected by constructing the crossarm 13 of sufficient length to contact the spaced inner side walls ofhousing |l just before the tilting arm 66 would otherwise contact themagnet cores 1| or 12,01 by providsignal may be provided at anydesiredlocation, as for instance, projecting beyond the hood 2|, withouthaving to destroy the relative proportions and symmetry of the signaldevice by making tion resides in the fact that a realistic glowing roomfor the original illuminating source (such as the six voltelectric bulb25) at the chosen point. Moreover, the necessity of leading electricwires right up to the signal-emitting point, and of hiding such wireswithin a suitable member, is avoided. In the present invention, thelight source may be encased within a housing remote from thesignal-emitting point, and the light transmitted to said point throughthe longitudinally translucent rod it.

While the rod or pencil I! may be of ordinary glass, rock crystalmaterial is better for transmitting light, and I prefer to employ asynthetic rock crystal material, comprising a thermoplastic syntheticresin known as methyl methacrylate (marketed as Lucite") because thismaterial transmits light very satisfactorily for the purpose in view anddoes not require beveling at the bend where the upper end portion of thepencil is turned laterally, nor isetching of the surface of the pencilreq Furthermore, as such synthetic rock crystal material is much lessbrittle than glass and can withstand rough usage it is admirably adaptedfor my purposes. Nevertheless, it is not essential that this material beemployed, for so far as I am aware, I am the first to use for a signalin a miniature railway system a pencil of light transmitting material soas to obviate difliculties hitherto inherent in the making of the partsto scale, and I desire my claims to have a correspondingly broadconstruction.

In building miniature railroads to quite a small scale it has hithertobeen impossible or practically impossible to provide realistic lightsignals, owing to the fact that electric light bulbs which weresufilciently small were not obtainable, and owing to the diiiiculties,as won as the expenses or wiring minute bulbs into the system. With myimproved signai, the signal light can be transmitted through asufllciently small area and as the rod or pencil I! can readily be madeor any desired diameter, the signal mechanism for the railway can bemade accurately to scale. At the same time, the appearance of thedevice'is very satisfactory because the end of the pencil well simulatesa minute bulb and the body of the pencil well simulates a signal post orpole. The simple hood device provided also very well simulates a signallight housing such as commonly employed on full size railways. Thesedesirable features furthermore reduce the expense of the outfit to anotable degree.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in allrespects as illustrative, and not restrictive, reference being had tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description, toindicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is hereby claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a wayside signal device for toy railroads, the combination ofa'housing defining a generally enclosed chamber and acting as a portablebase to be positioned alongside theright of way, a bulb in said chamber,angularlight-conducting means including a member projecting upwardlyfrom said housing and having its lower end in light-receiving relationto said bulb, said member being made of such material and so bent as totransmit light from said bulb upwardly and then approximatelyhorizontally toward an approaching train, and means within the housingfor housing, with receiving relation to changing the color of the lightto give an appropriate signal.

2. In a wayside signal device for toy railroads, the combination of ahousing defining a generally enclosed chamber and acting as a portablebase to be positioned alongside the right of way, a bulb within saidchamber, angular light-conducting means including a pencil mounted onsaid housing, said pencil being of such material and so bent as totransmit light from said bulb upwardly and then in another directiontoward an approaching train, a movable panel device in said housingcomprising transparent green and red portions adapted to be interposedbetween said bulb and the lower end of said pencil, andelectrically-operated means in said housing controlled from a distancefor shifting said panel device so as to change the signal.

3. An electric signal device for use in connection with toy railways,comprising a housing adapted to be positioned along the right of way andcontaining an electric bulb, a pencil of lightconducting materialextending upwardly from and supported by said housing, with the lowerend of the pencil in said bulb, said pencil being of such material andso bent as to transmit light from said bulb upwardly and then in anotherdirection for signalthe upper extremity of said pencil being shaped andshrouded so as to simulate a minute electric bulb. I

4. In a wayside signal device for toy railroads, the combination of ahousing defining a generally enclosed chamber, a bulb in said chamber, apencil of light-conducting material supported by and extending upwardlyfrom said housing and having its lower extremity in light-receivingrelation to said bulb, said pencil being of such material and so bent asto transmit light, from said bulb upwardly and then in another directiontoward an approaching train, a colored screen movable by approximatelyhorizontal movement into position between said bulb and the lower end ofsaid pencil, said screen being supported at the upper portion a lowerpivot and tiltable to either side of a vertical line passing through thepivot of said arm, a pair of horizontally spaced electromagnetsoperatively positioned so that they are at the respective sides of saidtiltable arm, each of said electromagnets being provided with a fixedcore, and means for selectively energizing said electromagnets to shiftthe arm and the screen.

5. An electric signal device for toy railways comprising a housingadapted to be positioned along the right of way and containing anelectric bulb, a pencil of light-conducting material extending upwardlyfrom and supported by said the lower end of the pencil in lightsaidbulb, said pencil being of such material and from said bulb upwardly andthen in another direction toward an approaching train, the upperextremity of said pencil being shaped and shrouded so as to simulate aminute electric bulb, the shrouding of the upper extremity of the pencilbeing effected by a hood supported on and by the pencil at the bentportion thereof.

- 6. In a wayside signal device for toy railroads, the combination of ahousing defining a generally enclosed chamber and acting as a portablebase'to be positioned alongside the railroad, a source of illuminationwithin said'chamber, angular light-conducting means including a pencilmounted on said housing and projecting upwardly light-receiving relationto l of a magnetically attr'actable arm having so bent as to transmitlight a therefrom and having its lower end positioned to receive lightrays fromsaid source of illumination,rthe upper end portion of saidpencil being bent from the vertical in a direction to have its extremityface an oncoming train, said-pencil being of such material and so bentas to transmit light from said source upwardly and thenin anotherdirection toward such train, a coloring therefrom and having its lowerend positioned to receive light rays from said source of illumination,the upper end portion of said pencil being bent from the vertical in adirection to have its extremity face an oncoming train, said pencilbeing of such material and so bent as to transmit light from said sourceupwardly and then in another direction toward such train, a coloringscreen movably mounted for placement in and out of operative positionabove the source of illumination and between it and the lower end ofsaid pencil, electromagnetic means in said housing controlled from adistance for shifting said screen, and a shrouding member carried on andby said pencil adjacent the laterally bent portion thereof and fromwhich the upper extremity of the pencil projects in simulation of aminute electric bulb.

8. In a wayside signal device for toy railroads, the combination of ahousing defining a generally enclosed chamber and acting as a portablebase to be positioned alongside the railroad, a source of illuminationwithin said chamber, angular light-conducting means including a pencilmounted on said housing and therefrom and having its lower endpositioned to receive light rays from said source of illumination, theupper end portion of said pencil being bent from the vertical in adirection to have its extremity face an oncoming train, said pencilbeing of such material and so bent as to transmit light from said sourceupwardly and then in another direction toward such train, a coloringscreen movably mounted for placement in and out of operative positionabovethe source of illumination and between it and the lower end of saidpencil, electromagnetic means in said housing controlled from a distancefor shifting said screen, and a shrouding member carried on and by saidpencil adjacent the laterally bent portion thereof and from which theupper extremity of the pencil projects in simulation of a minuteelectric bulb, said shrouding member having a closed rear portion and anopen under portion by way of which an upright portion of the pencilbelow the bend or turn extends into the same.

9. A wayside electric signal device for signalling an approaching train,including a housing defining a generally enclosed chamber, a light bulbdisposed within said chamber, angular light-conducting means including asolid light-conducting pencil having its lower end extending into anopening in the upper wall of said housing and adapted to receive lightrays from said bulb, said pencil having its upper end turned to face anprojecting upwardly approaching train, said pencil being of suchmaterialand so bent as to transmit light from said bulb upwardly andthen in another direction toward such train, a hood carried on and bythe upper end portion of said pencil and from which the upper extremityprojects in simulation of a minute electric bulb, a color screen lyingin, an approximately horizontal plane and movable to be interposed in anapproximately horizontal direction between said bulb and the lower endof said pencil, and electrically operated means in said housing forshifting said screen.

10. A wayside electric signal device for signalling an approachingtrain, including a housing defining. a generally enclosed chamber, alight bulb disposed within said chamber, angular lightconducting meansincluding a solid light-conducting pencil having its lower end extendinginto an opening in the upper wall of said housing and adapted to receivelight rays from said bulb, said pencil-having its upper. end turned toface an ap- ,proaching train, said pencil being of such material and sobent as to transmit lightfrom said bulb upwardly. and then in anotherdirection toward such train, a hood carried on and by the upper endportion of said pencil and from which the upper extremity projects insimulation of a minute electric bulb, a color screen lying in. anapproximately horizontal plane and movableto be interposed in anapproximately horizontal direction between said bulb and the lower endof said pencil, and electrically operated means in said housing forshifting said screen, said electrically operated means comprising anelectromagnetically operated arm pivoted at its lower end in saidhousing and carrying said screen at its upper end.

11. A wayside electric signal device for signalling an approachingtrain, including a. housing defining a generally enclosed chamber, alight bulb disposed within said chamber, angular light- -conductingmeans including a solid light-conducting pencil having its lower endextending into an opening in the'upper wall of said housing and adaptedto receive light rays from said bulb, said pencil having its upper endturned to face an approaching train, said pencil being of such materialand so bent as to transmit lightlfrom said bulb upwardly and then inanother direction toward such train, a hood carried on and by the upperend portion of said pencil and from which the upper extremity projectsin simulation of a minute electric bulb, a color screen lying in anapproximately horizontal plane and movable to be interposed in anapproximately horizontal direction between said bulb and the lower endof said pencil, and electrically operated means in said housing forshifting said screen, saidelectrically operated means comprising anelectromagnetically operated arm pivoted at'its lower end in saidhousing and carrying said screen at its upper end, said arm arranged tomake and break' a contact for controlling the cutting in and out of asection of charged rail.

12. A railway electric signal device comprising a housing adapted to actas a portable base to be positioned along the right of way, said housinghaving a top wall with a small opening therein, light-conducting meanscomprising a pencil supported on said housing and projecting upwardlytherefrom with its upper end visible from an approaching train, thelower end of said pencil extending into said small opening, a separateframe within said housing, a bulb carried by the frame in line with saidopening, said pencil being of such material and so bent as to transmitlight from said bulb upwardly and then in another direction toward suchtrain, and a movable color screen and remotely controlled shifting meanstherefor carried by the frame, said screen being movable by saidshifting means to be interposed between said bulb and the lower end ofsaid pencil for transmitting a signal.

' 13. A railway electric signal device comprising a. housing adapted toact as a portable base to be positioned along the right of way, saidhousing being, open at the bottom and having a small opening in theupper'wall thereof, light-conducting means comprising a pencil supportedon said housing and projecting upwardly therefrom in simulation of asignal post, the lower end of said pencil extending into said smallopening, a frame insertable in said housing from the bottom and havingassociated therewith a bottom plate closing the lower end of thehousing, a bulb carried by said frame within the housing, said pencilbe-,

ing made of such material and so bent as to transmit light from saidbulb upwardly and then in another direction toward an approaching train,and a movable color screen and electromagnetic shifting means thereforcarried by the frame within the housing, said screen being movable bysaid shifting'means to be interposed between said bulb and the lower endof said pencil for transmitting a signal.

14. A signal and control system for toy electric railroads wherein thetrains run on tracks and draw their operating current from a feederconductor, comprising a signal device including a housing defining agenerally enclosed chamber, a source of illumination disposed withinsaid chamber, means including a light-conducting pencil for conductingrays of light emitted by said source from within said chamber to avisible signal point 40 outside and above said housing, said pencilbeing made of such material and so bent as to transmit light in anupward direction from said source and then in another direction towardan approaching train, a pair of red and green light filters disposedwithin said housing and adapted to be individually and selectivelyinterposed between said source of illumination and said light-conductingmeans, an electrical switch inside said housing arranged to open andclose in synchronism with the movements of said light filters, andelectromagnetic means disposed inside said housing for selectivelyoperatively positioning either one of said filters, and a pair of spacedtrain-responsive electric track switches each controlling flow ofelectric current through said electromagnetic means, and a pair ofmanually operable electrical switches each controlling flow of electriccurrent through said electromagnetic means independently of said trackswitches, said feeder conductor including an insulated sectionelectrically energized through a circuit including the electrical switchdisposed within the housing of said signal device.-

15. An electric signal device for use in connection with toy railways,comprising a housing adapted to be positioned along the right of way, anelectric bulb in said housing having external electrical connections, alight-conducting pencil supported by and extending upwardly from saidhousing with the lower end of the pencil in lightreceiving relation tosaid bulb, said pencil being of a material which permits the light raysto pass therethrough at any angle and being provided with an upperangular portion so that its upper and throws in a lateral direction forsignalling purposes rays which pass upwardly from said bulb, and a hoodin embracing relation to the pencil adjacent the upper end'thereof.

WILLIAM nussm Sm.

